by Sean Highkin, USA TODAY Sports

by Sean Highkin, USA TODAY Sports

It's been over a year since Andrew Bynum has played in an NBA game, but the Cleveland Cavaliers have decided he's worth a roll of the dice. A person with direct knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick that the Cavs and Bynum agreed to terms on a two-year, partially guaranteed contract that could pay as much as $24.5 million. The person requested anonymity because the deal had not been announced publicly by the team.

The first year of Bynum's deal with the Cavs is guaranteed for $6 million, with incentives that could make it worth as much as $12 million. The second year is a team option worth $12.5 million.

Bynum, 25, was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in August as part of the four-team deal that landed Dwight Howard on the Los Angeles Lakers. However, he was plagued by knee injuries all season and did not appear in a game in the 2012-13 season.

In his first seven seasons, Bynum played All-Star-caliber basketball and helped the Lakers win titles in 2009 and 2010, but missed considerable time with injuries. He appeared in 60 of 66 games in the lockout-shortened season in 2012, one of just three times he's appeared in at least 60 games in a season. He has played in just 392 of 656 possible games in his NBA career, including missing the entire 2013 season.

In 2011-12, 18.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks a game for the Lakers while earning his first All-Star selection.

The signing of Bynum continues a busy offseason for Cleveland that has seen them add No. 1 overall draft pick Anthony Bennett, former Golden State Warriors guard Jarrett Jack and former Lakers forward Earl Clark. Their roster currently stands at 14 players.